Evaluation of safety aspects, in vitro probiotic potential and anti-inflammatory activity of Lactobacilli isolated from Meghalayan traditional fermented rice beverage

Two indigenous lactobacilli, Limosilactobacillus fermentum MTCC 25515 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus M9 isolated from Indian traditional fermented rice beverage were studied for safety criteria, probiotic attributes by in vitro tests and anti-inflammatory activity in cell line. They were negative for biogenic amines production, gelatinase, lecithinase and hemolytic activity, and displayed moderately low antibiotic resistance. They survived at low pH and 0.5% bile. They remain viable under simulated gastric and intestinal juice. Cell surface hydrophobicity and cell autoaggregation ability of Limosilactobacillus fermentum MTCC 25515 were comparatively higher than Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus M9. Cell coaggregation and antimicrobial activity were relatively high in Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus M9 than Limosilactobacillus fermentum MTCC 25515. They had no bile salt hydrolase activity. Limosilactobacillus fermentum MTCC 25515 produced comparatively higher short chain fatty acids than Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus M9. Additionally, the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide in RAW 267.4 cells was considerably reduced by Limosilactobacillus fermentum MTCC 25515

Antifertility activity of Oroxylum indicum Vent. stem bark on female Wistar rats

Plant based traditional medicines are being used by the diversified populations of North-East India (NE India) for numerous human ailments and birth control since ancient times. Different ethnic communities of the Indian state Tripura have been traditionally using fresh stem bark of Oroxylum indicum (L.) Vent. for birth control. Thus, the aim of this research was to justify pharmacologically the traditional use of Oroxylum indicum stem bark for birth control. The ex-vivo uterotonic potential of four different extracts viz., ethyl acetate (EAOI), acetone (ACOI), methanolic (MEOI) and aqueous (AEOI) extracts (10 μg/50 µL) of O. indicum stem bark was carried out using uterine tissue and 4%, 16%, 53% and 89% uterine contraction, respectively was observed. Hence, 200 mg/kg/day dose of MEOI and AEOI were investigated on female rats for in-vivo abortifacient and anti-implantation activity and the level of different hormones released were estimated. In addition, acute-toxicity of the MEOI and AEOI were carried out on rats of either sex. The AEOI extract showed height potential for both aborticide (**p<0.01) and anti-implantation effect (**p<0.01) in compared to MEOI extract. It was noticed that there was a significant decline (**p<0.01) in gonadotropic releasing hormone (GnRH) level in anti-implantation model and major elevation (**p<0.01) in luteinizing hormone (LH) level of anti-implantation and abortifacient model in both standard and treatment group, where Ethinylestradiol (0.1 mg/kg/day, P.O.) used in standard group and the treatment group received AEOI. In acute toxicity studies, both the test samples of MEOI and AEOI have not exhibited any toxic effect up to 2000 mg/kg dose. Based on the pharmacological aspect, the present study justifies the traditional claim for O. indicum as an antifertility agent and identifies the potential of AEOI as an excellent and safe source of antifertility agent

What makes the food heritage?: An empirical analysis of determinants

Unlike other intangible components of culture, food heritage has been the part and parcel of everyday life connecting the people with their culture, tradition, history, and helping in identity and image formation. Hence, the recognition and preservation of food heritage are of prime importance. The purpose is not only to maintain the dishes, products, or processes because of their unique value but also to indentify the determinants/factors responsible for making it. This present study analyzes how food is transformed into heritage, what we call them ultimately “heritage food”. The process of making heritage food is triggered by various determinants/factors solely responsible for it. To fulfill the aim of the study, a sample of 696 respondents has been collected through a self-constructed standardized questionnaire via online mode (Google form). On the basis of nature, association, and significance of studied variables following statistical tools have been used; Path analysis along with PLS-SEM (partial least square-structural equation modelling) for identifying the determinants of food heritage and multiple regression for measuring impacts of food heritage on identity. The study revealed that all the selected determinants (18 nos) of food heritage have significant determinacy power in making food heritage, which has a high impact on identity.

Hepatoprotective ethnomedicinal plants of Mavilan and Koraga tribes of the Western Ghats region of Kerala, India

Liver diseases have steadily increased to become one of the major causes of death globally for the past few decades, causing roughly two million deaths per year worldwide. Since ancient times, people have used medicinal plants to cure various liver disorders, and there are many plants and herbal preparations available in the market that can act as liver-protecting agents. As part of our ethnomedicinal survey, we have enumerated a variety of plants that the Mavilan and Koraga tribes of the southern Western Ghats region used to cure liver disorders. Face-to-face interviews with the tribal practitioners were conducted using a questionnaire after obtaining prior informed consent from each informant. The survey revealed 27 ethnomedicinal information for the treatment of liver diseases, of which 12 are single drug preparations and 15 are formulations. The survey documented 34 plant species belonging to 32 genera and 23 families for the treatment of liver diseases. This is the first study of its kind conducted in the Mavilan and Koraga tribal hamlets with the aim to document and conserve the ethnomedicinal knowledge of plants used to cure liver diseases. The detailed literature search revealed that the single drug plants Biophytum reinwardtii, Cycas circinalis, Lepidagathis keralensis and Memecylon randerianum are reported first time for their ethnomedicinal use against liver diseases

Plumeria species: a review of morphology, traditional uses, phytochemicals, and pharmacological activities

Plants from genus Plumeria belong to the Apocynaceae family and are considered native to the New World. These plants are commonly found in tropical and subtropical areas around the world. Plumerias are well known for their ornamental value and especially as medicinal agents. Species from this genus have played a crucial role in the popular herbal medicine as well as in alternative and complementary system of medicine. This review collects and updates information about Plumeria species. The article highlights findings and explores the medicinal status of these plants with their biological properties and phytochemical components suggested by describing several studies with in vitro and in vivo evaluations. Our review emphasizes the potential beneficial effects of Plumerias for human and provides evidence that this genus can be used as source for drug development in future

Proximate Composition and Micronutrient Analysis of Ten Traditional Rice Varieties of Wayanad District

Abstract More than half of the world’s population depend on Rice (Oryza sativa L.) as a staple food. In countries like India rice is present in every meal and is a rich source of nutrients. There are reports on nutrition richness of traditional rice accessions from different parts of the world and it is important to bring the less known nutrient rich traditional rice accessions to lime light. As there are many factors influencing the availability of nutrition content in rice, we investigated the nutrition content of ten selected rice accessions at different locations of Wayanad district. There was significant difference in proximate composition and mineral content among the selected traditional rice accessions of Wayanad. Moreover, proximate composition in all the rice accession was similar in replications at different regions of the district and it significantly varied among replications in mineral contents. The highest protein content (10.23±0.56) % observed in Chenthadi. Highest fibre content (1.46±0.09) % and fat content (2.12±0.21) % was observed in Jeerakasala. Highest Fe content was observed for the accession Chennellu at location Tirunelly and highest Zn content was observed for Kodu Veliyan at location Kaniyambetta. The results point to the need for more studies on factors affecting micronutrient absorbance of rice accessions

The role of traditional knowledge in climate change adaptation among the Nicobarese of Central Nicobar Islands, India

A qualitative study guided by phenomenological approach was conducted during 2016-2018 to understand the experience of living amid climate change among the Nicobari tribes living in Central Nicobar Islands and their management practices evolved for adaptation over the years. The study showed that the economic prosperity and sustainability of Nicobarese basically depended on their traditional wisdom to mange land resources under their possession and farming practices as indicated by the strength (>6.0) of anecdotal network analysis which are evolved over the years, are found to be climate resilient. They have wealth of knowledge on island biodiversity particularly on pandanus, banana, tubers, roots and leafy vegetables besides coconut. Nicobarese also learnt the process and storage of surplus farm produce for longer duration under the existing climatic conditions. The anecdotal network analysis of nine climate change adaptation measures and eight climate change events showed that seasonal calendar and organic waste management were the best climate adaptation strategy known to tribes followed by community land use / holding